Hoke Speaks On Denard's Legacy

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January 11th, 2013 at 11:49 AM
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The Wolf
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Hoke Speaks On Denard's Legacy

Warm and fuzzy article by Angelique Chengelis in the Detroit News this morning.  With Denard's football career at Michigan finally over, Hoke finally reveals some of his thoughts on #16's lasting impact and legacy at Michigan.

Particularly good quote, IMO:

"There's people who want to criticize, which is easy," he said. "It's easy to be critical. There's people who obviously have no idea about the work he did and the love his teammates have for him, the love he had for them. Right, wrong or indifferent, that's where I see his legacy, being a guy who embraced Michigan and totally became engrossed in what Michigan is all about.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130111/SPORTS0201/301110330#ixzz2HgMsoXSu

Excellent feel-good read for this Friday morning.

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.

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January 11th, 2013 at 11:58 AM | Interesting quote about love/hate (Score:5 Normal)
Dutch Ferbert
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Joined: 01/08/2011
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In the article, Hoke says Borges and Denard had a love/hate relationship.

There were some square peg/round hole aspects of their relationship, but Denard always handled it with class (as did Borges).

"[The University of Michigan] was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life."--Arthur Miller

January 11th, 2013 at 2:46 PM | "It would be easy for Al to (Score:-1 Normal)
January 11th, 2013 at 3:13 PM | I don't think it's a slight (Score:5 Normal)
denardogasm
Joined: 09/11/2011
MGoPoints: 1860

I don't think it's a slight of Denard at all.  I think that when it comes to on the field stuff, Hoke is about the team. Period.  He praises individuals for dedication and hard work and being leaders.  He did that with Lewan the other night and he did it here with Denard.  His job is to make Denard better, and for someone like Denard who had a tendency to get overly hyped up, and who was the subject of constant hyperbole from fans and media, it makes perfect sense to me that Hoke would keep an even keel with him.  I have no doubt that their relationship is a lot deeper than is revealed in the media.  That's one of the main reasons I love Hoke.  He protects his players in the media, and he keeps his personal relationships with them personal.

"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.

-Craig Roh 10/29/2011

January 11th, 2013 at 12:09 PM | Denard alluded to driving (Score:2 Normal)
kehnonymous
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Denard alluded to driving Borges crazy as well during his team dinner speech and confessed to being a free spirit - which... yeah, most coaches probably LOVE that /s.

But how could anyone in maize and blue stay mad at Denard?

Former Buckeye Antonio Pittman on being a poster child for compliance: "This osu tattoo stuff is silly. Cats been getting hookups on tatts since back in '01."

January 11th, 2013 at 12:10 PM | Legacy (Score:5 Normal)
GoWings2008
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What I think is so great about a guy like Denard is that the lasting memory that we each have for him could be different from person to person, but they're all valid and would leave every person nodding his or her head in agreement.  He's done so many noteworthy things across his career, off as well as on the field, that the legacy he leaves with each of us as fans is as unique as he is. 

Damn, I'm gonna miss watching him wear the Maize and Blue.  God Bless you, Denard.

The Team, The Team, The Team

January 11th, 2013 at 12:46 PM | Damn Right (Score:2)
The Pope
Joined: 11/30/2012
MGoPoints: 13

My lasting memory of Denard will always be a Notre Dame defender trying to pull him down and he chucks it to Hemingway for that monster gain during the UTL game.

I think he definitiely gets a Legcay jersey, but the question is how does the AD wait to gve it to him?

Born in South Bend, to a family of Spartans, but all Blue.

January 11th, 2013 at 1:40 PM | Love, love, LOVE me some Denard, but... (Score:5 Normal)
mvp
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 554

I think there should be some form of the statue rule in place (i.e. no statue gets erected until you're dead).

I hope for, and expect, nothing but greatness from Denard.  But let's not put even more pressure on him by calling him a "Legend" until at least his NFL playing days are over.

For me, the ultimate Denard memory came from my son at our first Michigan soccer game together.  Nick was 6 at the time, and a beginning soccer player himself.  We were talking about strategy and passing the ball, sometimes backwards.  I told my son, "You see, they pass the ball because a pass can go faster than the players can go."  He responded, "The ball doesn't go faster than ALL the players."  I said, "Yeah, the ball goes faster than all the players."  My son said, "It doesn't go faster than Denard."  True that, son.  True that. 

January 11th, 2013 at 2:18 PM | Being a Michigan legend has (Score:2)
GOLBOGM
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Being a Michigan legend has nothing to do with the NFL. His Michigan career is over- so nothing can be added to his Michigan legend in the NFL.  IT may help people remember him or keep him relevant- but I don't get your point.  Tom Brady's legend at Michigan doesn't change in my mind because of the NFL- it'd be the same as if he never got off the bench at New England and never became the NFL star he is.

On another note- I love how much character is part of what Hoke talks about- everyone knows his numbers and the moments- but it's nice the staff focuses so much on character for being a Michigan Man or a Michigan Legend!

January 11th, 2013 at 3:17 PM | I think he was talking about (Score:2)
denardogasm
Joined: 09/11/2011
MGoPoints: 1860

I think he was talking about official legend status (i.e. patch status) should be delayed til football days are over, in which case that's the only reason I can think why Woodson hasn't gotten one yet.  Also, I don't know that Brady's time at Michigan really qualifies as legendary...NFL, obviously.  College, probably just a very good career.

"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.

-Craig Roh 10/29/2011

January 11th, 2013 at 6:31 PM | Has Woodson graduated?  If (Score:2)
snarling wolverine
Joined: 12/14/2011
MGoPoints: 4701

Has Woodson graduated?  If not, that could be part of the holdup.

January 12th, 2013 at 9:45 AM | Yes (Score:2)
mvp
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 554

Yeah, this was my point.

Wait until football is over and wait to see what kind of person the man is in the community.  It is a fine line.  Obviously Desmond is still pretty young and fits, in my mind, what it means to be a Michigan Legend.  You want to acknowledge and celebrate that.  But you also don't want to have a Michigan Legend that later has problems or isn't the type of representative you want.

 

January 11th, 2013 at 6:37 PM | The thing about Denard is (Score:1)
maizenbluenc
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watching on TV is way different than seeing him in person. On TV it is like "whoops, there goes Denard and he's gone". In person, there is a collective holding of breath every time the ball is in his hands. It is way more exciting, and I wish I had gone to more of his games.

January 11th, 2013 at 12:13 PM | Its great to see an article (Score:4 Normal)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Its great to see an article like this and to see Hoke acknowledging Denard's importance, but it still leaves me wanting.  It seems to me as though people outside this blog (maybe elsewhere??) are failing to recognize that a player and person like Denard comes along maybe once or twice in a lifetime.  I am pretty confident that Hoke will never have a player that is exciting and electrifying as Denard.  Maybe that's taboo to say because we don't know about the future but I can count on one hand the number of Wolverines that have made my hair stand on end every time he touched the ball and I've been watching this team religiously since the late 1980s. 

It just seems to me as though people continue to underappreciate all that was Denard.  I expected a little more from Hoke in his comments and Angelique in the article but maybe there wasn't anything more to say.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

January 11th, 2013 at 12:27 PM | Denard's biggest "failure" (Score:5 Normal)
Dutch Ferbert
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Was not living up to his unbelievable performances of his first few games as a started. He put up video game numbers in those ND and UCONN games. When he put up good numbers like running for 80 yards and throwing for 200, the media (and us fans too) treated it with a "ho hum" attitude.

Yes, he did struggle in a few games, but his overall career was outstanding. Plus, he is one of the top 3 or 4 players in terms of "Wow moments" (not the the Dave Brandon definition of wow moment) that I have seen in my lifetime.

"[The University of Michigan] was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life."--Arthur Miller

January 11th, 2013 at 10:56 PM | I've been watching since the mid-70s... (Score:2 Normal)
cps2010
Joined: 08/08/2009
MGoPoints: 3747

...and I count four players who caused me to hold my breath every time they touched the ball:

  1. Anthony Carter
  2. Desmond Howard
  3. Charles Woodson
  4. Denard Robinson

And that, in my opinion, should be the modern-era Mt. Rushmore of Michigan Football.

The only teams that made me that confident/excited were the '97 defense and the '00 offense.  (And, honestly, this year's hoop squad and the '97 hockey team.)

January 11th, 2013 at 12:13 PM | "Winner's Profile" (Score:5 Normal)
LSAClassOf2000
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This was a great, great compliment as well, and it is fitting that it was the last quote in a way -

"He's not the biggest guy in the world, didn't have to be to some degree, but he showed an awful lot in a lot of games to me that he has a winner's profile." - Brady Hoke, quoted in the article

I would say that he had a "winner's profile" both on and off the field. Denard Robinson amassed well over 10,000 yards of offense with the same grace that has been part of his leadership on the team. The quiet, unassuming leadership and his "teaching without teaching", as it was termed in another article, have be instrumental in helping not only the transition to Gardner this coming season, but in giving the team a brighter outlook overall (coaching as he was whenever he was on the sidelines in those final games). He'll be remembered just as easily for the amazing numbers as his impact off the field - all around, a difference-maker.

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

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January 11th, 2013 at 12:37 PM | there may never again be a (Score:4 Normal)
russale2012
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there may never again be a player in a michigan uniform that makes me as excited as when denard touched the ball. every time he touched the ball, he had the potential to take it to the house. yeah, he wasn't the world's greatest passer, but he more than made up for it with his legs and his ability to completely take over games by himself when all seemed lost. thanks for giving us so many great memories, denard, but more importantly, thanks for being the selfless leader that you are. you embody everything a michigan man should be. good luck in the nfl, my friend.

It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk

January 11th, 2013 at 2:18 PM | Denard with the ball (Score:1)
ThinBLUEline
Joined: 02/11/2011
MGoPoints: 20

Whenever I heard the "experts" and commentators, back in the day, say "Every time 'so and so' touches the ball, he could take it to the house," we didn't really know that feeling at Michigan until Denard started playing. And that's nothing against all of the other great athletes that have played at Michigan. I am just saying that every time Denard had the ball and took off, he had that speed and vision that left me in awe, while breaking through the safeties for another touchdown. I am thankful to say that I was at Michigan Stadium for some of his best and most exciting games!

January 11th, 2013 at 5:04 PM | That's what Anthony Carter brought to my Michigan fandom ... (Score:3 Normal)
ca_prophet
Joined: 09/07/2010
MGoPoints: 201

... You didn't want to miss a play where he was on the field, because every time he touched the ball we might see something amazing. And he delivered.

Wheatley was like that to a lesser degree, but Carter ... Man, never seen anyone like that before. Denard is close, though.

January 11th, 2013 at 6:17 PM | You, sir, are correct! (Score:5 Normal)
Dutch Ferbert
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Braylon was great, but #1 is, and always will be, the number that AC made special. If ESPN existed back then and every game was televised, he may have won a Heisman because his highlights would have been all over sportscenter.

"[The University of Michigan] was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life."--Arthur Miller

January 11th, 2013 at 6:21 PM | Also (Score:4 Normal)
Dutch Ferbert
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Denard, Desmond and Woodson are the only other ones to come close or equal AC's pure electricity in my opinion.

"[The University of Michigan] was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life."--Arthur Miller

January 11th, 2013 at 1:51 PM | I believe, and hope, that (Score:1)
BlueHills
Joined: 10/31/2010
MGoPoints: 704

I believe, and hope, that Denard will be remembered at Michigan as one of the greatest players and leaders in the history of the program.

Think of the games he pulled out of the fire with only seconds remaining based on his sheer grit, determination and talent! 

No player is perfect in every game, but Denard was a perfect leadership example always. He never laid down. Never gave up.

In my mind, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Tom Harmons, Desmond Howards, and other program greats. I hope they make #16 a Legend jersey.

 

 

January 11th, 2013 at 3:14 PM | Desmond Howard and Tom Harmon (Score:3 Normal)
MichWolve95
Joined: 05/15/2012
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Desmond Howard and Tom Harmon won the Heisman

January 11th, 2013 at 3:22 PM | I'm pretty sure he knows that (Score:2)
GoWings2008
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but his statement to me was clear in that even though he didn't win the Heisman, his impact and legacy he leaves on the program is as noteworthy as those two winning Heisman trophies.  Which, by the way, are individual awards.  (Yes, I realize you should be on a winning team to help your case in being selected for it, but...).  And for the record, I agree with his premise.

The Team, The Team, The Team

January 11th, 2013 at 3:37 PM | They also led Big Ten title (Score:2 Normal)
MichWolve95
Joined: 05/15/2012
MGoPoints: 15

They also led Big Ten title teams. I guess I'm just old school in the fact that I believe a legacy at Michigan is defined by conference and national championsips and not much else. Denard did a lot of great things, but its hard to compare him to those two

January 11th, 2013 at 4:05 PM | Its not hard for me to put (Score:2 Normal)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Its not hard for me to put them in the same sentence as Desmond and Woodson (not sure about Tom Harmon, though).  Winning championships is a team accomplishment.  Its hard to do that alone and I think its clear that Desmond and Woodson had a little more help than Denard (no offense to his teammates).  Legacy is defined by what he gave back to the school and I think he gave as much if not more to Michigan than the aforementioned two.  Denard was a shining star during several dark years.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

January 11th, 2013 at 4:09 PM | I'll agree that its an unfair (Score:3 Normal)
GoWings2008
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I'll agree that its an unfair comparison to Harmon.  The guy did EVERYthing...including the punting.  He was a true complete player.  But Desmond didn't "lead" the team, he was a very good go-to player, the one that was always counted on to make the big play, but I would argue he wasn't the one who did all the leading.  He was probably the most valuable role player, an enabler, and certainly the most talented.  Not belittling his input at all.

Denard may not have won a B1G championship or a national championship, but he did lead Michigan to an 11-2 BCS game winning season.  Put into perspective what happened the years prior, I'd say that's legendary worthy, at least for consideration.

I'm not poo-pooing your counter argument, i'm suggesting that its worth consideration after a few years after his graduating.  There's support for and against it.  And the impact he had on the program, the record books, his team mates and the fans is huge.  That shouldn't be dismissed.

The Team, The Team, The Team

January 12th, 2013 at 12:11 AM | He won a damn BCS game. Get (Score:0 Flamebait)
January 11th, 2013 at 10:32 PM | That's fine; Ron Kramer (Score:3 Normal)
BlueHills
Joined: 10/31/2010
MGoPoints: 704

That's fine; Ron Kramer didn't win the Heisman; Gerald Ford didn't win the Heisman; Oosterbaan didn't either. He and the other Legends probably predated it.

Manziel won it last year and his team didn't win a championship.

In Denard you have Michigan's all-time leader in offense. He set the FBS rushing quarterback record. He was a great team guy. He led some miracle finishes. Think of the games where he put the team on his back and literally willed a victory.

I'd suggest to you that to his team's success, he was more important than Ford or Kramer. I suppose reasonable people can reach different conclusions; I, for one, hope his Jersey becomes a Legend, and I think one day it will when his contributions to his team over the past few years have a little time to be savored.

As for the comparison to Harmon, I'm not sure one can fairly do it. All players went both ways in the pre-free substitution days, and he was on a very strong team. When I compare him to Harmon and the others, I'm comparing them in terms more of the respect I have for them.

But I'd submit it isn't Denard's fault that Michigan as a team wasn't strong enough to win a title.

January 11th, 2013 at 2:16 PM | Hoke owes Denard (Score:2 Normal)
Aequitas
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MGoPoints: 709

Maybe Denard "frustrated" the coaches, but they owe a lot of "patience from the fans" to Denard for staying.  A lot of experts were whispering that he should have left when the new staff was announced, but he stayed, and was hugely responsible for the team's record in that first season.

To me, Denard will always be one of the greatest people to ever don a Michigan uniform.

"Do not disturb my circles."
 

January 11th, 2013 at 2:51 PM | Sacrifice (Score:4 Normal)
Tater
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Joined: 08/13/2008
MGoPoints: 10377

Denard sacrificed any chance he would have at winning a Heisman to stay with his "family" and get a degree from the University of Michigan.  He was one of the key elements of keeping a lot of players from leaving.  Fans and coaches alike owe Denard Robinson a huge debt of gratitude.

 

 

 

January 11th, 2013 at 2:58 PM | Imagine if he pulled a Boren (Score:4 Normal)
Dutch Ferbert
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And left for another school and trashed the new coaching staff on the way out. Other guys probably would have followed him out the door, and the guys that stayed may have had doubts about whether they made right the decision. Then again, Hoke might have been successful anyway, but luckily, we never had to find that out.

Denard was a leader when Hoke and the football team most desperately needed the QB to be one. Plus, it didn't hurt to have guys like Molk and Martin tell their teammates that they were not going to let the team have another crappy coaching transition.

"[The University of Michigan] was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life."--Arthur Miller

January 11th, 2013 at 3:18 PM | Deserves all the best (Score:2 Normal)
BILG
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Joined: 08/31/2008
MGoPoints: 473

He is a true teammate. Would have broken all sorts of records if he transferred to Oregon or followed RR to Arizona.  Can't put a price on loyalty though.  Who wouldn't want to go to battle with this kid.

FWIW, he obviously still would have ended up as a slot reciever or returner in the NFL anyways had he transferred.

BILG

January 11th, 2013 at 9:45 PM | He Stayed. (Score:2 Underrated)
MaizeMN
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Champion.

L.S.A. '88

January 12th, 2013 at 4:33 AM | I wish him the best (Score:-1 Trolling)
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